Professor, Sharon Turnbull Director, The Centre for Applied Leadership Research

Having spent 15 years in managerial positions with a variety of companies and consultancies Sharon changed direction and became an academic before joining The Leadership Trust in 2003 where she could combine both worlds to connect theory to practice. As Director of the Centre for Applied Leadership Research Sharon works with clients, and the business development team to ensure that the design and outcomes of the leadership development interventions are maximising organisational impact as well as personal learning. She also writes and presents new ideas in the field of leadership at a number of conferences, as well as being Cycle Director for the International Masters Programme in Practising Management and taking a lead on the MA Leading Change in conjunction with the University of Gloucestershire.

Sharon has a PhD in Management, an MBA and is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. These have given her the opportunity over the course of her career a chance to deepen her understanding of organisations, culture, leadership and change. She is also Visiting Professor at the University of Gloucestershire and the University of Worcester giving her a new and interesting learning opportunity.

As a Course Director Sharon has worked with Sheffield Hallam University on a major change programme which has seen 150 leaders going through the programme over the last four years.

A great passion for travel and learning about other cultures is fulfilled by the varied work Sharon undertakes around the world leading courses for leaders from many countries and sectors firing her interest in the subject of cross cultural leadership. Her love of trekking has taken Sharon to Nepal, Peru and Morocco as well as the beautiful Herefordshire countryside.